Exclusive: $1,000 in mileage paid to unlicensed water board member

COMMERCE >> Although he’s been convicted twice of DUI and hasn’t had a valid California driver’s license since 2003, local water board member Arturo Chacon received mileage payments of more than $1,000 for trips to Las Vegas, San Diego and Indian Wells, according to documents obtained by this news organization.

The reimbursement was given to Chacon on top of the $597 monthly stipend he receives from the Central Basin Water District and after he caused a traffic accident that wrecked constituents’ cars and sent three people to area hospitals.

A respected state government watchdog said the payments to Chacon, who stayed at luxury resorts in Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo and Monterey and at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, appear to be evidence of paycheck padding. The watchdog questioned the agency’s reimbursement policies.

Between 2012 and 2013, Chacon received $1,006 on mileage reports related to the various conferences.

“I would hope (the district) would have him show a driver’s license before they give him the money, said Bob Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies. “It doesn’t sound appropriate.”

Chacon’s record behind the wheel has been problematic for the district.

In February, Central Basin paid $16,000 to a woman who was injured in a car accident caused by Chacon. The agency also paid Chacon $68,000 in worker’s compensation, even though an insurance provider told Central Basin officials the accident occurred during non-work hours.

State officials say Chacon, convicted twice of driving under the influence, has not been legally eligible to drive in California since 2003.

Tony Perez, a spokesman for the agency, said the reimbursements are within district policy. He said Chacon is not required to show his driver’s license. Perez said Chacon is required to have proof of insurance on file. But Perez declined to share a record of that proof.

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Other directors received reimbursement and car allowances as well, according to district records.

The district has been under increased scrutiny since receiving a subpoena from the FBI as part of the investigation into former state Assemblyman Tom Calderon, D-Montebello, who had a $12,000 monthly consulting contract with the agency until February 2013.

Calderon and his brother, state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, have been indicted by a U.S. grand jury on federal corruption charges, including bribery and money laundering, for their alleged roles involving a Long Beach hospital and a phony film studio.

Central Basin is a water wholesaler serving the southeast area of Los Angeles County.

Director James Roybal said he thinks the agency’s policy allows for “double-dipping.”

“The question is valid,” Roybal said. “I didn’t know we even had that policy. I haven’t been on one trip and I don’t plan on going anywhere. We get almost $600 (a month) in auto allowance. It’s an overly generous policy. The board should take a look at it.”